The Third-Class Genie

by Robert Leeson

Alec’s world changes when he meets Abu the genie!

Disasters were leading two-nil on Alec’s disaster-triumph scorecard when he slipped into the vacant factory lot, with Ginger Wallace hot on his heels, ready to destroy him. There was a catastrophe awaiting him at home too, and of course school was yet another disaster area.

But his luck seemed to be changing when he discovered a sealed beer can that was obviously empty. Stranger still, when he held it up to his ear, he could hear a faint snoring…

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Born in Cheshire in 1928, Robert Leeson was a journalist for forty years, interrupted by army service in Egypt. He began to write for children in the 1960s and has had over 65 books published. In 1985 he received the Eleanor Farjeon Award for services to children's literature.
Also published as R.A. Leeson

Reviews

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, fun intrusion fantasy, that asks the question what would happen if an ordinary schoolboy living in an industrial working class suburb of Manchester in the 1970s found a beer can with a genie living in it? Of course, Abu's lack of understanding of the 20th century leads to trouble, but is also a catalyst for furthering examination of contemporary attitudes to race, power, politics and housing.

[Hedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children's book is INCREDIBLE!

Short-story length, but manages to discuss racism, differences in cultures and religions, parental examples, bullying, reading and imagination, good and bad teachers, friendships, morals, financial and class issues, dubitability of history, doing housework no matter the age or gender, foreign languages, growing into romantic relationships, families, alcohol, even politics and activism. While still having an actual story, realistic feeling characters, laugh-out funny moments and a whole lot more. And NONE of it felt forced.
I finished it an hour ago and I am having a hard time believing what I just wrote.

What is more, this is probably THE most nostalgic book I’ve ever read. Not kidding. But at the same time I am somewhat surprised that a book written in the 70s about then 3rd grade kids in country A can feel that way to a reader born in the very end of the 80s in country B and pretty-much-in-their-middle-age while reading for the first time in 2025 living in country C. I suppose time really did move slower back then… But my god, running about abandoned overgrown and not-exactly-supposed-to-enter factory sites with some special friends, falling into ditches and having an endless supply of entertainment based just on whatever trash one happened to pick up and imagine a story around (whenever one did not have a nose in a book) - I am so so so happy to have existed before internet and phones. Anyone without these experiences: I’m so sorry for your loss.

The only reason keeping it from the top ranking is my self-imposed rule of “will almost certainly re-read many times” of that final star, and I’m not sure of that. … … But then again. Fk it, it may happen. Here, have full marks.

[Jennifer Plested · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun and loved the finding of the sealed can and hearing the snoring - Have the next in the series and looking forward to it. Read a lot of this while sitting in a hospital waiting room, a great bit of fun easy escapism.

[Gary Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every bit as good as it was when I first read it 40 years ago.

[Sebas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago.
It is about a normal boy who us bullied and has some problems of that type. On e day he finds a genie in a can (the third class genie). This story tells what happens next.
As I said, I read it some time ago, but I remember I enjoyed this book, It was something different.
I recommend it, so enjoy!

[Atikah Wahid · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember reading this as a kid but I can't recall the story beyond the boy finding a genie in a beer can. I remember the book was quite confusing because it uses British words that I wasn't familiar with, like "trainers". For the longest time, I didn't know what trainers were so I assumed they were socks. Mind you, this was before Google existed.

[Terry Clague · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book at primary school and I loved it again - probably thanks to the memories it brought back. I didn't notice the racial aspect of the book when I was 9 and I certainly didn't realize back then that the book was written in 1974.

[Nikobit · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG that was really long time back. My first book to cause a beer addiction. I've been looking for a genie ever since. No luck so far. Wonderfull reading though. All those eastern and racial stuff is boiling in today's life. Author had a vision.

[Mitchan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trying to find an audiobook I listened to as a child I used to love. This was one of the possibilities. It actually had a surprising racial/social aspect (illegals immigrants and ghettos) to it which I imagine I would not have picked up on when I was young had I read it.

#geniesearch

[Shazarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it a bit incomplete although it was a bit interesting.I didnt hate but didnt love all that much either

[Reena · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's nothing really magical to give it 'modern classic' status.

[Sarah Yasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting !

[Soph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it.

[Gloria Simatupang]

Saya gak paham isi ceritanya, aneh gitu, trus gak dilanjutin sampai selesai ngebacanya.